Brush attachment for liquid applicators



June 24, 1 47- A. R. CHRISTENSEN 2,422,823

BRUSH ATTACHMENT FOR LIQUID APPLICATORS Filed Jan. 29 1945 aka d .YILNLENTOR.

ATTORNEYS" iatented June 24, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSHATTACHMENT Fort LIQUID APPLICATORS Arthur R. Christensen, Lockport, N.Y; Application January 29, 1945, .Serial No. 575,166

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an applicator which is more particularlyintended for use on the feed tube of an eye dropper into which theliquid to be applied or dispensed is drawn into the tube through thelower end thereof by the expansion of a flexible bulb communicating withthe upper end of this tube, and this liquid being discharged from thelower end of this tube onto the surface adapted to receive the same bycontracting or compressing this bulb; It is often necessary todistribute or spread the liquid discharged from a tube of thischaracter, overthe surface to which it is applied. For example, whenapplying an ink eradicator to the writing'on a sheet of paper whichrequires changing or correction, this liquid after being depositedon thesheet must also be spread, distributed or rub-bed over the written partof the sheet in order to soften, loosen, dilute or mix the ink'with theeradicating liquid preparatory to removingthis mixture by means of ablotter or otherwise. 7

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an applicatorwhich may be readily mounted on a feed tube of this character in suchmanner that the distributing element of this applicator, such as abrush, may be moved laterally inward into a position across the lowerend of. this tube for receiving liquid therefrom and also applying thisliquid to the surface intended to receive the same; this applicator alsopermitting this distributing brush to be moved outwardly away from thelower end of said tube and upwardly lengthwise thereof into aninoperative position when the same is not in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an applicator of thischaracter which is very simple and inexpensive in construction and canbe readily applied to and removed from the feed tubes of eye droppers,or other dispensers in which this tube is mounted at its upper end on acap, closure or stopper which is detachably connected with the neck of abottle containing liquid so that the lower end of the tube and theapplicator mounted thereon may be stored within the bottle when th feedtube and the applicator are not in use. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section, showing my inventionappliedto the feed tube of an eye dropper or liquid dispenser which isinserted in the bottle containing a liquid which is to be distributed,the applicator embodying this invention being shown in its inoperativeposition on the feed tube.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, and on anenlarged scale, of the lower part of the liquid feed tube showing theapplicator embodying the present invention applied to this tube andarranged in a position in which liquid is discharged from the tube tothe applicator.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the applicator detached from the feedtube.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the applicator.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the applicator viewed from its upper end.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the applicator.

In the following description, similar characters of reference indicatelike parts in the several views of the drawings:

Although this invention is capable of use on a liquid dispensing tube ofany suitable character, the sam is shown in the drawings, as an exampleof one of its uses, in connection with a liquid dispensing outfit whichis constructed as follows:

The numeral I0 represents the body of a bottle adapted to hold instorage, a quantity of liquid, such as an ink erasing solution, amedicated liquid for treating eyes or other ailments, or a coloredliquid for use in painting or the like. The neck H at the upper end ofthe bottle is adapted to be closed by means of a cap, closure or stopperI2. Upon this closure is mounted the upper end of a liquid feed tubeiii, the lower part of which projects from the closure downwardly intothe liquid within the bottle. At its upper end the feed tubecommunicates with a flexible bulb M which, upon being expanded, willcause liquid to be drawn from the bottle into the tube through the lowerend thereof and which upon being contracted or squeezed together will 1cause the liquid to be expelled from this end.

In the preferred construction, the lower end of this tube is made ofrounded or spherical form, as shown at l5, so that it will not injurethe surface which it may engage and also permit of making the opening [6at the lower end of the tube comparatively small.

The applicator which embodies my invention is adapted to be mounted onthe feed tube so that it can be inserted with this tube into the bottle,as shown in Fig. 1, in order to permit of filling the tube with liquidand also enabling the whole outfit to be stored compactly when the sameis not in use.

In its preferred form, the applicator embodying this invention isconstructed as follows:

The numeral I! represents generally the entire 3 carrier or holder ofthe applicator and the numeral I8 represents the distributing memberwhereby the liquid received from the feed tube I3 is spread ordistributed over the surface to which it is applied. The carrier orholder of the applicator is constructed from a single sheet of anysuitable material, such as metal, plastic or other material havingnon-corrosive qualities and the distributing member preferably has theform of a brush which consists of a round bundle of bristles, the upperends of which are secured to the carrier or holder while the lower endsare free or loose and can be used inthe manner of a paint brush.

The holder or carrier of the applicator comprises an upper large slidingsleeve I9 which is of substantially cylindrical form, a lower smallsocket sleeve which is also of substantially cylindrical form, and anintermediate longitudinal neck 2| which connects the upper and lowersleeves on one side thereof. The front side of the lower sleevev ZB-isprovided with a slit 22.dia-. metrically opposite the neck ZI, or nearlyso.

Thelower sleeve 20 forms a socket in which the upper end of the bunch orbundle of bristles of the brush is secured by closing the split tube 20around these brush bristles so that the latter are tightly gripped andheld in place relative to each other. At the upperedge of the socketsleeve 20, the same is providedopposite the neck 2!, with a teat whichtapers upwardlyand is preferably composed of two sections or points 23arranged on the socket sleeve on opposite side of the slit in this tube.The sections of this teat are adapted to. project upwardly through theopening H5 in the lower end of the feed tube l3 and withdraw a quantityof liquid therefrom and deliver it to. the upper. end. or butt, ofthebrush from which this liquid is conducted, by capillary a t to th lowr d. of th b ush br stles f r subsequent. transfertQthe surface intendedto receive the same. The lower part 22 of the Slit in the socket sleeve20 is preferably arranged atan oblique angle relative to. the axis ofthis sleeve so that this slit crosses the pp part of the, bristles ofthe brush instead. of being ar-. ranged parallel thereto, whereby thesebristles are reliablyretained within the socket sleeve and prevented. obecom detached therefroih.-v Theupper part 24of-the-s1itin this socketsleeve is, however, arranged vertically between. the sec.- ions 2 of theliquid feedin teat in rd r to. ause. the latter to promptly withdrawliquid from they f d e I3 to. the. pperpart of the di tr butin brush.

T e p r s ev l9 of the. ca ier or hold r is adapted to s id lens hw seoh the fee ube .3.- ahd alsoook transv r e y h eto, hisb ing p rmittedby moyingthe carrierso that, t ose part n posi e s des f ts. ong tu nal,slit 25 mov a e y pa t th pposite Sides of the feed tub bet een them. hs. on di al slot .5. is aran ed on th upp r le e diam ca ly pp site theneck 2| which connects the lower. edg of the sliding sleeve IS; with thelower socket sleeve 21!.

he ppe s id n s eev I is. of se iromth ower b o din s ee 2 so hat thefro t pa t th l w r le e wh c i s the t at, sections is, nline. wi h. haxis f he pp sli ih 's e ve. 9. Thesliding sleeve :9, .of th carrier isprovided on opposite sides of itsslit 25. with two jaws 21, the innersides of which are of convexform, as shown at 2.8 in Fig. 6. and have:

theiraxes arrangedat an angl relative to, the

axes of the upper and lower sleeves I9, 20. The upper sleeve I9 isprovided on opposite sides of its slit 25 with inwardly projectingdetent ridges or humps 29 at the junction between the inner parts of thejaws 21 and the adjacent parts of this sleeve, as shown in Fig. 6. Asshown in Fig. 2, the carrier or holder of the applicator has its uppersleeve I9 in co-axial engagement with the liquid feed tube I3, the brushsleeve 20 projects inwardly across the lower end of the feed tube l3 andthe teat sections 23 project upwardly into the Opening I6 of the liquidfeed tube, whereby liquid is conducted from the interior of this tube tothe brush preparatory to applying the same to the receiving surface.

When the applicator is not required, the carrier or holder is moveddownwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 a sufficient distance todisengage its teat sections 23 from the opening H5 in the liquid feedtube l3 and thereafter the low r part of the arrier or holder is turnedate a twa d s that the brush is arranged on ne sid of. th x s of thefeed be and t en h o de sslipped upwar y n the f ed ho 1 and. t ush iss. evated on oneside thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. Inlihis last. men? tip sit on, this r sh. s noperative andthc same mayremain attached' bythe.carrier or holder to the supply tube and storedwithin; the bottle readyfor subsequent use.

As the holder or carrier is turnedfrom the liquid receiving position onthe feed tube. I3; as shown in Fig. 2, to the inoperative or storageposition, shown in Fig. l, thehumpsZB between the jaws 28.-and thevcylindrical sliding-tube I9 are spread by engagement with the widediametrical part of the feed tube and thenthe jaws 28,. due to theresilience of the material of which the holder is constructed, sprinback into their closed position and cause the concave surfaces 28 of thejaws 21 to grasp. diametrically opposite sides of the liquid feed tubeand retain the. holder. or carrier frictionally in. its elevated andalso'in its laterally turned inoperative position on this. tube, asshown in Fig. 1,

Owing to the few parts which constitute this applicator, the same canbemanufactured and marketed at low cost and due toit simplicity of.

construction, the same can be very readily ap plied to and removed fromthe standard forms of eye droppers now in general use, as. well asdevices of a simila type-requiring. the distribus. tion or spreading of.liquid.

I claim as my invention:

1. A liquid applicator for use on. a tube adapted to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a,brush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidablewith said brush lengthwise on: said tube on one side of thesame andalso. movable transversely of said tube-for. placin said brush adjacent.to. said opening to. receive liquid therefrom.

2. Aliquid applicator for useon a. tube adapted to. hold a liquid andprovided at itslower end with a liquid delivery opening; Comprising a.brush, and a carrier which supports said brush. and which is slidablewith said brush lengthw se on said tubeon one sideofthesame and alsomovable. transversely of said. tube. for plac- 1 sfii i hfl il a e t S ip to. rec ve. liquid t e f m, a d r r inc u ng: an pper: sleeve ad p edt e mount d on said tube. and. a lowersleeveon which-said brush ismounted...

3. A liquid applicator for use on atube adapts ed to hold a liquid andprovided at its lowerend with a liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidablewith said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and alsomovable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent tosaid opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including anupper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve onwhich said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being provided withan upwardly projecting teat adapted to project into said opening.

4. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidablewith said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and alsomovable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent tosaid opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including anupper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve onwhich said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being split andprovided with a split upwardly projecting teat which is adapted to entersaid opening and conduct liquid from the tube to said brush.

5. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a, liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidablewith said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and alsomovable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent tosaid opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including anupper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve onwhich said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being split andprovided with a split upwardly projecting teat which is adapted to entersaid opening and conduct liquid from the tube to said brush, a part ofsaid split being arranged at an angle relative to the axis of the brush.

6. A liquid applicator for use on atube adapted to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush adapted to move lengthwise of said tube and also transverselyacross the lower end thereof, and a carrier having a lower sleeve inwhich said brush is secured, an upper sleeve which is adapted to slideon said tube and also move crosswise thereof, and a reduced neckconnecting said upper and lower sleeves.

7. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush movable lengthwise on said tube and also transversely across thelower end thereof, and a carrier having a lower sleeve in which saidbrush is secured, an upper split sleeve connected with the lower sleeveand which is slidable lengthwise on said tube and also movabletransversely thereon, and clamping jaws arranged on said upper tube atopposite sides of the split therein and having curved face adapted tograsp opposite sides of said tube, and the axes of said upper sleeve andclamping jaws converging upwardly.

8. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a supply ofliquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening;comprising a brush, and a carrier which is provided with an upper sleeveadapted to slide lengthwise on said tube and also to move laterallyrelative thereto, and a lower sleeve supporting said brush and connectedwith said upper sleeve and arranged axially out of line therewith sothat an edge portion of the lower sleeve will be arranged in line withsaid opening when the lower sleeve is moved across the lower end of thetube.

9. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapt ed to hold a liquid andprovided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising abrush adapted to move lengthwise of said tube on one side thereof andalso transversely across the lower end thereof into position forreceiving liquid from said opening, and a carrier provided with a lowersleeve in which said brush is secured, an upper split sleeve which isconnected with said lower sleeve and is adapted to slide lengthwise onsaid tube and also move transversely relative thereto, and two curvedjaws projecting laterally from said upper sleeve on opposite side of thesplit thereof, and said carrier being provided between said upper sleeveand its jaws with humps which project toward each other and are normallyspaced apart a distance less than the diameter of said tube whereby uponmoving said carrier laterally in one direction relative to said tube theupper sleeve will be engaged with said tube and upon swinging thecarrier transversely in the opposite direction said jaws will engagesaid tube, and said humps will be temporarily spread apart in passingover the widest part of said tube and thereby hold the carrierfrictionally on said tube in either of said positions.

ARTHUR R. CHRISTENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,090,354 Massman Aug. 17, 1937155,243 Landes Sept. 22, 1874 1,937,660 Luker Dec. 5, 1933 650,544 vonPallich May 29, 1900 1,661,599 Cynova Mar. 6, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 471,225 France July 4, 1914

